She checked her reflection in the looking glass for the hundredth time that morning and carefully applied the pale color to her lips. She turned to go and then turned back, scowling. Sweeping up a handful of wavy tresses, she pinned them back with a delicate silver comb and smiled. Finally satisfied, she picked up the basket and stepped out into the cool Autumn air.

"You made good time Captain, " the elder man said clapping him on the back. "Inside for a celebratory drink, eh?" The last of the crates were being unloaded on the dock as they both turned and headed into the hall. Drinks first and formalities later, that was how Lord Van Cort conducted business. The Captain looked back over his shoulder eyes quickly scanning all the stoney arches over the water and followed the merchant inside.

Her heels made sharp clicks on the stone pavers as she hurried along, more at a half-run than a walk, over the bridges leading to The Fisherman's Guild. Eleutheria paused near some huge casks of brandy to catch her breath. She smoothed her skirts and exhaled slowly before she pushed the door open and walked inside.

The deep blush was not on account of the nickname. Eleutheria was looking past her father at him -- Captain Leeward. Her heart pounded so loud in her chest that she thought everyone there must be able to hear it. She felt the color rise in her cheeks again as he smiled warmly at her. A smile that made her knees go weak.

Her father stood, pushing his chair back as he rose. "Keep the Captain company while I go and tend to the manifests. Manifests and paperwork, my day is never done. I'll see you tonight at dinner before you set sail, Captain." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and was out the door barking orders and hurrying people along.

Eleutheria walked over and placed the basket before him. "Buns and honey-butter," she said shyly.

His crystal blue eyes did not leave hers as he took her hand and gently kissed it. "You know I love your buns." He rose never letting go of her hand. "Walk with me," he said, leading her to the door.

They pushed past the men milling about and headed towards one of the many bridges of Vesper. Eleutheria linked her arm in his and they walked at a leisurely pace over the cobbled ways, until he stopped midway on one and faced her. "I have something for you, " he said, and gently pulled a small bundled piece of silk from his pocket and placed it in her hand.

She opened it with care and there nestled in the silk was a delicate emerald ring. She looked up at him, "I..I can't accept this. It's beautiful, but too dear a gift for a birthday present."

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, "It's not a birthday gift," he said. "Be mine, always."

* * *​

"Absolutely not!" her father roared bringing his fist down hard on table, "I forbid it!" The silverware had just settled back when she began her protest and he slammed his hand down again. "You, " he said, rounding on Captain Leeward, "You get out of my house now!" The servants along the wall shifted uncomfortably, the dinner having come to a an abrupt halt.
"I'll not have you married to a.. a .. that sea-faring privateer! I'll make you a good match when the time comes!"

"But Daddy..." she started and was cut off.

"Stethos, bring your sister to her room and wait until I come up there." Her brother rose slowly, taking her by the arm.

"I love him! And I hate you and I will marry him, " she was shouting. Her diatribe continued as she was hauled down the hall.

The Captain took his coat from a half-cowering servant and calmly said, "As you wish." He gave a slight bow and walked out of the merchant's home into the night air. And as Leeward left, Lord Van Cort sank onto the chair burying his face in his hands and muttering to himself. The rest of the servants slowly slipped from the room.

* * *​

Eleutheria threw herself onto the bed going over and over in her head when exactly it had all gone downhill. She had caught Leeward's glance when she had been dragged down the hall. His face was all calm, yet something in his eyes and in his demeanor led her to believe that all would be right. She gently twirled the delicate emerald on her finger and wondered what he was planning. The door shot open and she sat up. "Pack two bags. You will be headed to the Abbey and the monks and nuns on the morrow!" Her father pulled it shut and she heard the key turn, locking her inside. She rose and starting packing, but not to go to Yew.

The Captain walked quickly over the bridges back to the docks, long angry strides that carried him back to his ship. "Privateer, " he sneered. "Better match. Ha! He'll marry her off to some old noble twice my age." He looked towards the sky the wind was favorable this eve and the sun would set soon, so little time...

Eleutheria packed four bags, leaving two in full view of the door, the others tucked behind her bed. She pulled the blanket over the mound of pillows she had made and stood back. It did look like someone was sleeping there. She would wait twenty minutes more, to be sure her father was asleep, and then she made her escape. As she climbed out onto the ledge outside her window, she almost yelped when something brushed her hip. She looked down and there was Leeward on the trellis. Quickly and silently, he helped her from her perch, and then they made their way to the docks.

* * *​

"What do you mean it will take a few days? Find me a ship and find one fast!" The groom kept bowing and backing out of the room. Once outside he took off running for The Majestic Boat again. There would be no ships arriving until the end of the week, that fact would not change, and neither would Lord Van Cort's anger.

* * *​

"Tell me again, " she said, her arms around his waist. "Ah, it is small shack, one room but by the water. It suits a lonely sea captain like me, but we will need to find something better. I hear that Magincia is beautiful, beaches, a good-sized dock, ocean breezes." She looked up, "Hovel or castle makes no difference if I have you."

* * *​

"You do realize that the chances of finding her are small, " Stethos tried talking some sense into his father.

"I don't care, " Van Cort growled. "Your mother would spin in her grave if she knew I let Ellie marry that sea dog. I'll hunt him down until your sister is returned to us."

"Any idea where he lives?"

"No, but I have a good place to start, Fisherman's Guild. Pack your bags, we leave in two days."

(As written by Magdalena with additional contributions by: Lindae, Wildstar, Circe and WarderDragon)

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